Few teams were as active this offseason as the Timberwolves, who brought in new rotation players Brandon Roy, Andrei Kirilenko, Chase Budinger and Greg Stiemsma, along with another two (Dante Cunningham and Alexey Shved) who could also contribute. There are still holes to fill, but Minnesota was able to stock up on players who address their need for better perimeter defense and better 3-point shooting, and veterans like Kirilenko and Roy figure to add leadership to a young group.

For star forward Kevin Love, who has lamented the team’s shortcomings in the past, all of this is a big deal. He is, though, well aware that if the Wolves are to improve and make a push into the crowded Western Conference playoff picture, it will all have to start with one body part in particular—the ACL of point guard Ricky Rubio.

“That’s something that we’re all obviously the most concerned with,” Love said. “We were a very good team when Ricky played but when he went out, we didn’t really get that back. So we need him to be healthy and doing all of the things he needs to be doing to get back on the court.”

The good news is that Rubio told the Spanish newspaper Sport that he is targeting a December return to the Wolves, which will put him out for at least 15 games. He suffered his injury on March 9, and following that much time off, would probably need some time to work off the rust. Even then, allowing just nine months for an ACL injury might not be enough, and there is a chance that Rubio won’t be 100 percent for a while longer.

Rubio’s health is the one thing tamping down expectations for Minnesota this year. In 41 games last year, Rubio’s overall play was stellar. He averaged 10.6 points with 8.2 assists, adding 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals. He also proved somewhat of a better shooter than many expected (or feared), knocking down 34.0 percent of his 3-pointers. Rubio made 31 starts for the Timberwolves, and they were 18-13 in those games. They were 8-27 when he did not start.

The additions Minnesota has made will go a long way toward masking his absence, though, and veterans Luke Ridnour and J.J. Barea are returning. There is also Love, who averaged 26.0 points and 13.3 rebounds last year and figures to continue his ascent, especially after his performance with Team USA in the London Olympics.

“For all of us, it is going to be a big year,” Love said. “No one likes to lose and we know now we have guys who know how to win and know how to get us to the playoffs. There is no reason we should not be able to put it all together on the floor now.”